Body Powder

Body powder is a normal part of personal care. Unfortunately some talcum powders are contaminated with asbestos fiber and aluminum. It makes me shudder to think that we put that on our bodies and our babies. And who can resist breathing in the sweet scent of a freshly bathed, powdered baby.
A safe solution is to make your own baby powder. What I found is, it's very easy and not expensive to make your own body powder.

Body powders can be made from simple things you have at home. Plain cornstarch, arrowroot, oat flour, white clay, rice starch, baking soda, orris root, and zinc oxide powder, are just a few of the things you can use. You can add dried herbs or essential oils as desired.

The basic directions is to grind unpowdered ingredients in a coffee grinder, blender or food processor. Then sift through a mesh strainer to make sure they are fine, and dump into a bowl. Add the powdered ingredients, mix. Add essential oils at this point. Stir well , and store in a airtight container. Powder tins, old spice shakers or powder puff containers work well. You can buy powder puffs, use cotton balls or just sprinkle the powder on your body.

The information I found suggested anything from 1 to 12 drops of essential oil for every tablespoon of powder. Add as much as you find pleasing. Some of the herbs and things added was any kind of essential oil you find pleasant, powdered cinnamon (like you cook with) to herbs like lavender, rose blossoms, thyme leaves, peppermint leaves or whatever you want. Sounds like you can do what ever you want.

I tried several powders. I used different base powders and combinations of essential oils to see what I liked or didn't like. I didn't like the one with baking powder as much because I thought it was more grainy and it stung a little on a small nick. The good thing about baking soda is it is a natural deodorizer. I might use that one on my feet, or in my shoes instead. I tried grinding oatmeal in my coffee grinder to make oat flour, and that didn't work because I couldn't get it fine enough. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

I tried making only small amounts of each powder, because I was experimenting. You can make a batch as big or small as you desire. Don't forget to keep track of what you put in so you can remake your favorite recipes.

This has a happy scent. The orange is uplifting. The lavender is balancing and good for stress and antibacterial. The tee tree is a good antibacterial. The rosemary is good for concentration and memory. I really like this one. This is soft and silky also.